​The Cheap Trick touring organization is a small family, and it is with profound sadness that we must announce the sudden passing of one of our tour family members,
Larry Melero.  Larry was Rick’s guitar tech for a number of years, but we used to say he was everyone’s tech as he was always repairing some piece of gear for someone – whether it was assisting a crew member of one of the bands we happened to be touring with, or just fixing backline rental that showed up at the venue and didn’t work properly.

For those unsuspecting people meeting him for the first time, he looked like a guy you wouldn’t want to tangle with (and it was always amusing watching people cautiously approach him!), but in reality, he was someone who would help you out without thinking twice (and crack many a joke or two in the process). Larry was very loved and respected throughout the touring industry, as evidenced from the volume of calls and texts that we have been receiving over the course of the past few days.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Melero family, and to all of the many people across the globe that Larry’s irreplaceable light, humor and friendship touched over the years. 

For those wishing to send condolences to Larry’s family, you can do so by mailing cards to our address and we will forward them:
Melero Family
c/o Trick International
3280 Sunrise Highway, #154
Wantagh NY 11793  USA


I always knew Larry would have me covered with tuning, teching, a unique knowledge in tone, he was a great one, always with sarcasm and humor, much like, so I'm told, me..... 

He built 3 guitars for me, just cuz he could and wanted to surprise me and he fixed all my vintage amp collection that I'd neglected for years without me even asking.

Larry would spend time with our guests explaining the virtues of, the why and the reasoning behind the Checkerboard 5 neck, and photo requests usually with his huge smile or with a Larry trademark favorite, the middle “finger.”
- Rick Nielsen

Journey‘s Neal Schon and Cheap Trick‘s Rick Nielsen will serve as guest instructors at guitar wiz Joe Satriani‘s fifth annual edition of his G4 Experience guitar camp and concert series, “G4 Experience V5.0: Rocks the Desert,” which takes place January 3-7, 2019 at Hotel Zoso in Palm Springs, California.

Other musicians who will share their musical expertise at the event are former David Bowie guitarist Carlos Alomar, ex-Guns N’ Roses guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, and Megadeth‘s Kiko Loreiro.

The four-day extravaganza offers guitar workshops, jam sessions, nightly concerts, meet-and-greets, recreational activities and more.

“The students that have come to the first four G4 Experiences have been as unique and eclectic as you could imagine so for G4 Eexperience V5.0 I’ve put together a team of instructors that really reflects that diverse nature,” says Satriani in a statement. “The lineup this year is probably our best yet. It’s so exciting, getting to be so totally immersed and getting to be so close to these great players.”

Joe, who’s also a member of the Sammy Hagar-fronted supergroup Chickenfoot, will be joined at the upcoming G4 Experience by his solo touring band — guitarist/keyboardist Mike Keneally, bassist Bryan Beller and drummer Joe Travers — who will perform with him each night and also will serve as instructors.

Visit G4Experience.com for more information and to reserve your place at the camp.